Men's Tennis

Spartans Battle Past Eagles in Windy Weather

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's tennis team went up against the windy weather and Georgia Southern Sunday afternoon and defeated both, knocking off the Eagles 4-1 at the USC Upstate Tennis Complex in non-conference action.

The Spartans (4-5) put an end to a three-game skid and remain unbeaten at home with a perfect 3-0 mark, while the Eagles (3-2) cap a season-long five-game road swing to open the year.

"This is one of the matches that will live in infamy, not necessarily for the tennis but for the weather, said USC Upstate Head Coach Dr. Oliver Trittenwein. "With the blistering cold and snow, these were two coaches and two teams that wanted to play and make this match work and we were finally able to get it in."

The Spartans got things started the right way when the No. 1 doubles tandem of Matthias Kidler and Viktor Selander dominated Andrew Dromsky and Carson Jones 8-0. Needing just one of the two remaining doubles matches to capture the point, Upstate turned to the No. 3 spot where Jamie Yates and Jacob Darling used a clutch service break late in the match to pick up an 8-6 victory.

Looking to make quick work of the Eagles in singles play and escape the cold weather, Upstate managed to get a straight-set victory from Haessig at the No. 2 spot, defeating Dromsky 6-3, 6-1.

After the Spartans fell in straight sets at No. 4 singles, Blanco stepped up with his first singles victory of the season, cruising to a 6-2, 6-4 win at the No. 5 spot for the third point of the match.

Kidler sealed the deal at the top spot, cruising by Matthijs Verdam 7-5, 6-4 to give Upstate a 4-1 victory on the day. Selander and Yates were both locked in tight battles when the final point was won and the remaining matches were called.

The Spartans will now enjoy their longest break of the year, returning to action Friday, March 1 on the road at UNC Asheville. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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The University of South Carolina Upstate is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees.Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1865 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of USC Upstate.